Ranger In the Classroom

Bring a park ranger to class day!

Take an opportunity for your students to hear from someone else by inviting one of our park rangers into the classroom. Depending upon the class and grade level we can read a book about Eleanor or FDR or bring in a hands-on activity. We can highlight any of our parks and cover a variety of American history topics from the Gilded Age, to human rights throughout the world. Call us up and let us know how we can help bring the parks to your classroom

Need to make a reservation

All our programs are free and live presentations must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. We will connect through an invitation with your school for lie programs. You may, of course, use the asynchronous offerings whenever you need them. To make a reservation for a live program please call 845-303-6256, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Curriculum-based Programs

Grades 1-2: Read with a Ranger: Have a ranger read aloud to your youngest students. We have a election of books we can share. Choose from a selection of books:

• Eleanor Makes Her Mark: How Eleanor Roosevelt Reached Out, Spoke Up, and Changed the World;
• Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride;
• Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic;
• Steam, Smoke, and Steel: Back in Time with Trains, and a favorite of Park Rangers;
• Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax!

Grades 1-4: Roosevelt Salad:
Students learn the difference between fruits and vegetables and about how to make a healthy salad based on color and shape. The foods used were historically grown at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Students also will be tasked with keeping a food diary to help them evaluate their eating patterns.

Grades 3-5: Eleanor’s Suitcase: Learn about the former first lady who as a politician, diplomat, and activist traveled more than 40,000 miles in her first year while sharing the White House with her husband Franklin. Students will see some of the items representative of what she could have traveled with, hear a reading of “Eleanor” by Barbara Cooney and do some activities based around the life of Eleanor.

Grades 8-12: Political Cartoons in the Gilded Age: Students can explore a brief history of political cartoons then we dig into several from the Gilded Ace, including the Vanderbilts! Students will critically evaluate cartoons of the Gilded Age period and today, and close out the session by being challenged to make their own statement!

Travel Tips

• Parking for buses, vans, and Cars is available at all three sites, please stay in designated areas.
• Bring your lunches and beverages with you. There are limited covered areas to eat by the Home of FDR visitor center, but no covered areas at Vanderbilt Mansion or Eleanor Roosevelt NHS
• Incorporate pre- and post-visit activities into your trip.

What if there is stormy weather?

• During inclement weather, particularly snowstorms and hurricanes, your national parks may be closed. To check if we are open before you visit call us at 845-303-6256

Need to Contact Us?

• You can call us at 845-303-6256, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or email us at [e-mail]